China's top actress Fan Bingbing, who was recently cast in X-Men: Days of Future Past, will also star in bonus footage developed specifically for Chinese viewers.

Disney-owned Marvel described the move as a "springboard for future collaboration with China's talented stars and its growing film and television industry".

Disney is said to be paying close attention to its relationship with Chinese officials as it looks to expand its business there. The company is already building a new theme park and resort in Shanghai.

Iron Man 3 is produced by Beijing-based DMG Entertainment, but Marvel Studios has no plans to apply for official Chinese co-production status in the country.

That would mean Iron Man 3 is classed as a domestically produced film, enabling Marvel to avoid the government's restrictions on foreign releases.

Watch a trailer for Iron Man 3, released on April 26 in the UK and May 3 in the US, below: